Education Grantees 2016

2016 Education Grant Summaries

American Passage, Inc. Hartsdale, NY
Japan, An Undiscovered Jewel
Project Director: Tracey Wong
$4,994
This project focuses on creating and implementing a new learning unit on Japan
for 3rd grade students at Highview School. Through this unit students are
introduced to Japan and its history, culture, and traditions. They also have an
opportunity to learn about Japanese art through hands-on activities with
Japanese artist, Harumi Ori. Students will showcase their projects at a
culminating event open to the local community.

Chequamegon Theatre Association Ashland,
WI
Taiko to America
Project Director: Christine Hulmer
$2,700
Taiko to America brings two taiko performers from Okinawa to teach and perform
together with the Ashland High School band. Students have the opportunity to
learn traditional Okinawan song and dance and share what they have learned with
local schools and the community. The performances give the Ashland community
members direct exposure to Japanese culture as well as an opportunity to
further deepen connections with Okinawa.

Greenwich
Historical Society Cos Cob, CT
An Eye to the East: The Inspiration of Japan
Project Director: Anna Greco
$1,600
This project supports a fall festival that invites families to experience and
enjoy kite making, fan decorating, a martial arts demonstration, a dance
performance by The Greenwich Japanese School students, and a scarecrow-building
competition. The festival aims to increase understanding of Japanese culture
and history. It is part of a larger project, "An Eye to the East: The
Inspiration of Japan," that includes an exhibition featuring the works of
Genjiro Yeto, a Japanese music performance, a Japanese landscape lecture, and a
sushi-making workshop.

Ho Etsu Taiko Chicago,
IL
Chicago Japan Fest
Project Director: Jason Matsumoto
$1,600
This project brings taiko performer Yuta Sumiyoshi from Japan to take part in
the Chicago Japan Fest. In addition to a taiko performance, Mr. Sumiyoshi and
Ho Etsu Taiko offer educational programs such as interactive lessons on Japan
and a workshop on taiko drumming for junior high and high school students. This
project aims to give students and the community a deeper understanding of Japan
and hopes to further motivate students to pursue Japanese language and cultural
studies.

Japan Day, Inc. New
York, NY
Dive Into the Contemporary Japanese World
Project Director: Nami Okazaki
$5,000
Japan Day at Central Park returns to the Bandshell area and Rumsey Playfield in
Central Park with a wide range of Japanese family-friendly activities that are
available to visitors free of charge. The project aims to spark visitors'
interest and understanding of Japanese culture. This year's Japan Day features
a kendama tent for the first time, highlighting the traditional Japanese toy
and skilled toy specialists.

Japan Society, Inc. New
York, NY
A Play for Elementary Students, MOMOTARO the Peace Boy: A Hero's Journey
Project Director: Jeffrey Miller
$4,999
Japan Society, in collaboration with the New York City-based theatre company
Crossing Jamaica Avenue, invites elementary school groups to join a live
theater performance of Momotaro (Peach Boy), a classic folktale widely read by
children in Japan. This project aims to introduce Japanese culture to over 500
students in New York City through the live performance and classroom visits
before and after the event.

Marquis Studios Brooklyn,
NY
Japan Project
Project Director: Sarah Ory
$2,700
Marquis Studios introduces two classic Japanese art forms, taiko and origami,
to elementary school students at P.S. 152 in Queens, NY. The objectives of the
10-week unit are to expose students to Japanese culture through arts education,
encourage professional development of teachers, and support the integration of
art in education. At the culminating event, students will perform two Taiko
pieces, display their origami artwork, and give presentations to parents,
classmates, and school community.

Midori & Friends New York, NY
Journey to Japan
Project Director: Lauren Noble
$4,000
Journey to Japan is a 5-6 week program that introduces
students to the history, music, and culture of Japan. This year Midori &
Friends is partnering with elementary schools and middle schools in Manhattan,
Brooklyn, and Queens. The program culminates in a concert for family and school
community members where students perform the music they have learned during the
program as well as showcase the creative work they have produced.

Ohana
Arts Mililani, HI
Peace on Your Wings
Project Director: Laurie Rubin
$2,500
This project brings Ohana Arts to New York City to perform "Peace On Your Wings," an original musical inspired by the life of
Sadako Sasaki, a young girl affected by the atomic bombing. The performance
educates over 600 K-12 students in NYC on Japanese culture and history as well
as the peace movement symbolized in the play. This outreach performance is part
of larger project in collaboration with Stanford University (SPICE) that aims
to provide an inside and outside of the classroom educational experience
enabling students to gain an understanding of the atomic bombing's aftermath
and longer-term effects on the residents of Hiroshima.

The Japan America Society of
Vermont Burlington, VT
A Noh Dancer Invitation from Japan to Matsuri-17
Project Director: Lois Obregon
$1,400
This project brings Noh performer Takashi Yamamura from Itami, Japan to take
part in The Japan America Society of Vermont's 2017 Japan Matsuri. The event,
held every two years, draws attendees of all ages. Through inviting a Noh
performer this year, JASV hopes to introduce a part of Japanese culture that is
new to the Vermont community. In addition to a special performance, Mr.
Yamamura will hold a booth at the festival, providing an opportunity for
attendees to learn more about Noh.
Theatre of Yugen San Francisco, CA
2017 "Crazy for Words" – Kyogen Training and Educational Outreach
Project Director: Sheila Berotti
$4,000
"Crazy for Words" educates students on Kyogen, a form of traditional Japanese
comic theater. This outreach program includes workshops on dance and script
development where students learn about the history, conventions, characters,
and narratives of traditional Japanese Kyogen plays. Through the classroom
workshops, students will develop their own narratives incorporating personal
experiences. Trained artists from the Theatre of Yugen will perform at multiple
elementary schools, and the outreach program will culminate with a public
performance.
Trustees of Grinnell College Grinnell, IA
Japanese Spring Festival
Project Director: Kumiko Saito
$1,500
Grinnell College's Japanese Spring Festival features educational workshops on
Japanese traditional and contemporary art, music, and culture. Students,
families, and community members will have the opportunity to learn about taiko,
origami, kimono, tea ceremony, and kendo. This one-day festival, organized in
collaboration with the Japan American Society of Iowa, aims to bring Japanese
culture to the mid-Iowa region and stimulate further interest in Japan.